A study from Canada has compared the risk of developing bowel cancer in obese and normal weight patients and has found that greater alcohol intake may increase the risk of colorectal cancer amongst the obese.
The study groups were split into those with a BMI of 30 or more and those with a lower BMI; the groups were then further divided by their average alcohol consumption. Obese test subjects who drank five or more drinks daily had a greater risk of developing bowel cancer although this association was not found in the patients of a healthy weight.
Although this was a small and preliminary study, it is hoped that other studies will now be carried out to determine if there is a definitive link between alcohol intake and colorectal cancer dependent on body weight and BMI. If so, this knowledge could be used to better understand the development of colorectal cancer and provide better screening guidelines.
